Joan Frances Johnson

Joan Frances Johnson, 91, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of January 30, 2022 at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Portland. Joan was born on June 26, 1930 in Steubenville, OH to James Harvey and Helen Frances Johnson. She was one of eight children, five girls and three boys. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Justine, and her children, Victoria Jassenoff, Colleen and Jeff Johnson, Steve Tillotson, and Rhonda Pehrson, as well as grandchildren, Matthew Jassenoff, Michael Tillotson, Rachel Pehrson, Cody Pehrson, Cassidy Pehrson, and great-grandchildren, Sonny Pehrson and Lincoln Tillotson. Joan moved to Long Beach, California in 1944 with her family and graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in 1948. She attended nurse’s training at Orange County Hospital and subsequently spent her career in the medical profession. She worked in a variety of medical settings, including laboratory and x-ray departments and five years in obstetrics and traumatic medicine in Big Bear Lake, California. In 1966 she took a position at Bristol Park Medical Group in Costa Mesa, Ca. and remained there for 29 years. She started as a part-time insurance clerk in 1966 and was promoted to Office Manager in 1970 where she was responsible for the reorganization of the Business Department. In 1979 she was appointed Assistant Administrator, a position she held until her retirement in 1995. As Assistant Administration she helped to oversee the expansion of BPMG from a single office to a corporation with multiple offices around southern California. After retirement, Joan moved to La Grande, Oregon to be closer to her children. She was actively involved in Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church and various community organizations. She loved dancing, reading mysteries, playing cards, and sitting on her porch watching the world go by. Her favorite poem was “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer. She was happiest when surrounded by her family, in particular her grandchildren whom she adored. She will be greatly missed. Her family plans a Celebration of Life in the spring in La Grande, OR.